ALTHOUGH the newly established Information Regulator is not yet fully operational, it has to date received 107 complaints relating to the unlawful processing of personal information and access to information.

An analysis of these complaints revealed that a majority of the complaints relate to banking, insurance, and telecommunications, chairperson of the Regulator, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, told the media earlier this week.

“It should be noted that most of these complaints relate to direct marketing through unsolicited electronic communications. Citizens are bombarded by emails and phoned by marketers but the question is where they get your personal information,” Tlakula said.

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Regulator member Tana Pistorius said at the moment not all sections of the regulator are active such as the ability to investigate.

“But we accept and deal with the complaints in the best of our ability. We forward complaints to responsible parties and request protective control.”

Of the reported complaints, Pistorius said they are engaging with relevant sectors to indicate where problems are at, while some of the cases have been resolved.

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The regulator is empowered to monitor and enforce compliance by the public and private bodies in line with the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act No 2 of 2000 and POPIA. Visit www.justice.gov.za.

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